Daly storms out of Australian Open

Controversial American John Daly stormed out of the Australian Open midway through Thursday's opening round, in a move described by tournament officials as unacceptable and unprofessional.

Written by Agence-France Presse

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Sydney:

Controversial American John Daly stormed out of the Australian Open midway through Thursday's opening round, in a move described by tournament officials as unacceptable and unprofessional.

Daly, who has a history of blow-ups in tournaments, shook hands with his playing partners Craig Parry and Hunter Mahan and left the course on the 11th hole following a triple bogey seven at the previous hole.

Championship director Trevor Herden said Daly had incurred a two-shot penalty for hitting the wrong ball in a bunker on the 10th hole and then put "five or six balls" in the water on the 11th hole.

"He's walked straight off the golf course with his son beside him, got in a courtesy car and gone straight back to the hotel," Herden said.

"It's very disappointing for the tournament, certainly unprofessional and I am extremely bitter and disappointed that he has treated this championship this way."

Daly, 45, a two-time major winner, has a history of pulling out during tournaments and Herden urged the world's golf tours to "deal with him in a serious fashion".